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Ashwani Kumar’s Sensational Debut Propels Mumbai Indians to Victory Over KKR
Mumbai Indians Dominate as Ashwani Kumar Shines in Dream Debut
Mumbai Indians (MI) secured their first win of IPL 2025 with an emphatic 8-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), thanks to a stellar performance by debutant Ashwani Kumar. The left-arm seamer’s fiery spell of 4 for 24 dismantled KKR’s batting lineup, restricting them to a modest 116, a target that MI chased down with ease.
Where Was the Match Decided?
PowerPlay Battles Define the Outcome
T20 matches are often won or lost in the PowerPlay, and this game was no exception. The stark difference in the opening six overs set the tone for MI’s dominant performance.
| Parameter | KKR | MI |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 41/4 | 55/1 |
| Run Rate | 6.83 | 9.17 |
| 4s/6s | 4/2 | 3/4 |
Mumbai’s aggressive approach in both innings ensured they remained in control from start to finish.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Struggles with the Bat
PowerPlay – MI Stuns KKR Early
Trent Boult and Ashwani Kumar Wreak Havoc
Trent Boult struck in the very first over, rattling Sunil Narine’s stumps with a deadly inswinger. Deepak Chahar followed up with two quick wickets, leaving KKR reeling. Ashwani Kumar then announced himself on the big stage, dismissing KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane with his first delivery. KKR finished the PowerPlay at 41/4, their lowest of the season.
Middle Overs – Ashwani Kumar Runs Riot
KKR attempted a comeback, but Hardik Pandya dismissed the in-form Angkrish Raghuvanshi (26 off 16) with a short ball. Impact substitute Manish Pandey failed to steady the innings. Ashwani Kumar stole the show by removing Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey, and Andre Russell, leaving KKR in complete disarray.
Death Overs – Santner Wraps Up the Innings
A brief counterattack from Ramandeep Singh, who smashed two sixes, was not enough to revive KKR. Mitchell Santner finished off the innings, bowling out KKR for just 116 in 16.2 overs.
Mumbai Indians’ Commanding Chase
PowerPlay – Rickelton Sets the Foundation
Despite some swing from Spencer Johnson and Harshit Rana, MI openers started aggressively. Ryan Rickelton led the charge, smashing boundaries against Johnson and Rana. Rohit Sharma, however, struggled for fluency and fell to Andre Russell’s short ball. MI finished the PowerPlay at 55/1.
Middle Overs – A Comfortable Chase
Rickelton continued his onslaught, reaching his maiden IPL fifty off 33 balls. Suryakumar Yadav then finished things off in style, blasting 27* off just nine deliveries to ensure MI crossed the line in just 12.5 overs.
Match Summary
Kolkata Knight Riders: 116 in 16.2 overs (Angkrish Raghuvanshi 26; Ashwani Kumar 4-24, Deepak Chahar 2-19) Mumbai Indians: 121/2 in 12.5 overs (Ryan Rickelton 62*, Suryakumar Yadav 27*; Andre Russell 2-35)
Result: Mumbai Indians won by 8 wickets.
What’s Next?
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Mumbai Indians will face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Ekana Stadium on April 4.
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Kolkata Knight Riders will return home to battle Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 3 in a rematch of last year’s final.
Get the latest IPL 2025 standings and fixtures on the official IPL website
